Chapter Nineteen- Plans.

Cordelia swam amongst the royal gardens. She floated along the pebbles that created intricate paths throughout it, a colourful garden full of pinks, blues, purples and yellows that were made up of seaweed and other underwater plants.

The numerous corals and sea weeds parted for her as she rested on a chair of shells nested between two red sea whips. She sat and played with some fishes that floated between stands of her hair. She gazed over the palace, daring her mind to wonder what it would be like if she were to be queen.

"Covered in pearls" Cordelia laughed to one of the fishes. "Lots and lots of pearls."

The fishes swam away.

She sighed and looked down at the ends of her blonde hair. It danced around the water and skimmed the top of her blue tail, the colour of the darkest depths of the Neverland Sea. She reached her hand out to touch her hair, but it floated away. Just like the fishes.

Just like Peter…

The Queen and Cordelia were again in the throne room, discussing Meredith's plan.

"Are you sure this will work your majesty?"

"Of course Cordelia, and remember, Meredith."

"Yes Meredith, it's just that I really want… no. I need this to work. I want this with all my heart."

"Oh young love." Meredith sighed.

"Well, it will be." Cordelia smiled.

"Yes, but won't you get tired of him? This is irreversible remember?"

"I won't. I never will."

Meredith smiled. "Good. Let it not be your undoing." She motioned for Cordelia to come forward.

Peter paced up and down in Hangman's Tree. It had been too long since Wendy and the boys had left. He had convinced himself that he did not care, but something deep in his heart said otherwise. He still wasn't sure what this part of his heart meant, and he wasn't intent on finding out. It was like a sickness, but it wasn't going away. No matter how much of Wendy's medicine he took.

Tinkerbell was getting increasingly furious by the second. Not one moment of Peter's attention had been spent on her in the last few months. He was always absent minded. He was getting sloppy. He had not even rescued Tigerlily. He seemed to be waiting for something. Or someone.

Tink shook her head. No, she was all he needed. She would help him get out of this mess. Now that Wendy-bird was gone, she could have all his attention. She just had to get it.

She shook her head for what seemed the millionth time before glowing a deeper red. She flew rather abruptly to Peters face and tinkled in disgust.

He halted mid-stride. "Oh Tink. Don't be like that. I'm fine!"

She tinkled again. It sounded like wind chimes being blown through a tornado.

"Tink! How dare you! I do not need her, I don't need anyone! I am Peter Pan!"

Tinkerbelle nodded her head in approvement. Her deep red turned to a burgundy. She chimed her plan.

"Well, when you put it like that… I know I haven't been able to help Tigerlilly, but Captain Hook has something planned! I can feel it! Those pirates are up to something bigger than we've ever faced before!"

Her jaw dropped open. This was not like Peter. Since when had he ever backed down from a plan? When was he ever afraid of the pirates? She decided to make her opinions known.

"That's enough!" Peter cried as he ran away from Tink, away from Hangmans Tree, away from his memories of her.

He took a running leap and flew until he could not anymore. His surroundings settled into focus as he hovered, taking in the sight of the enormous rock in the shape of a skull coming out of the water. He wondered why he was here. He lowered himself to the ground and sat on a rock overlooking the lake and the cave. He sat there for a long time, lost in his thoughts. Then it came to him.

The first time Wendy had come with him for a proper adventure. This place was the first time she saw Hook up close and how cunning Peter was.

Where was his cunning and confidence gone? He sat for many a hour and tried to think about what was wrong. He couldn't ignore it any more. Something had changed within him.

He picked up a rock and threw it across the lake. It did not skip, but sunk straight into the water. Peter looked at it in despair.

He could not save Tigerlily, he had hurt Wendy and ended up losing them both.

"Ah... okay, boys! I think something is wrong!" Curly finally announced standing on top of Peters throne.

Slightly jumped over the back of the throne and hit Curly over the head with a club. "Like your head?!" He laughed.

"OW! No, something else. Can't put my finger on it" Curly said rubbing his head while the lost boys laughed.

The twins sat on the bed that Wendy had slept in. They shook their heads slightly, worried what was happening with Peter. They knew something was wrong. The other boys were starting to notice too. They hadn't fought anyone or anything in a week.

The twins had often wondered if they could go hunting on their own and before long, had started venturing out collecting small things such as berries and fruit. But they were afraid of talking to Peter. They had seen the arguments between him and Tink, they didn't want to get yelled at. As far as they were concerned, only their mother could yell at them.

The twins stood up on an unspoken signal; "We have decided to hold a meeting!" The first boy cried.

"Someone will need to find Tinkerbell and bring her to us, but it must be a secret!" The second finished.

"What for?" Tootles asked.

"Things are not the same." One twin replied.

"I'll get her!" Nibs offered.

The twins nodded. Then curly brought out his club and starting hitting Nibs. "I'll get her!" He mocked. The other lost boys laughed and joined in, getting their sticks and weapons as they fought the afternoon away with laughter.

"Cordelia, is it done?" Meredith asked.

"Yes. How long will it take?"

"An hour. Be ready."

"I am."

Hello everyone,

It's a short chapter, but I wanted to start posting again as soon as possible. As I posted on my profile, I'm up and ready to go again so expect updates monthly. Thank you to all for being so incredibly patient. Your continued support means a lot.

Until next time my darlings!